Jets make 'exploratory call' about free-agent receiver Terrell Owens

Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerJets CB Darrelle Revis held Terrell Owens to three catches for 13 yards when they met in Week 6 last season.

With free-agent receiver Terrell Owens still looking for a landing spot next season, the Jets made a "generic, exploratory call," but "nothing is imminent," according to a person with direct knowledge of the team's interest level.

That person requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for Owens or the Jets.

ESPN first reported this morning the Jets had reached out to Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

The Jets' call was likely just due diligence, a preliminary inquiry to an available player as they did with quarterback JaMarcus Russell earlier this summer.

The team already made a number of high-profile moves this offseason, among them trading for former Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes. The Jets roster includes 1,000-yard receivers Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery -- though Holmes will be suspended for the first four games of the season.

In an interview on ESPN 1050 radio this afternoon, Cotchery echoed that he viewed this as the organization's due diligence in exploring all options to help the team get to the Super Bowl. He added that Owens "can help any team in the league right now," but believes the current receiving corps is deep enough to weather Holmes' absence.

"Whatever they want to do to help us win games and put points on the board, I think it will be good," Cotchery said. "But I definitely think we have guys in house to get it done."

Owens' next step in the NFL has been uncertain since the end of his single-year contract with Buffalo. Recent reports identified the Bengals as a likely destination.

At 36, Owens is viewed to be on the decline of his career. He had 55 catches for 829 yards and five touchdowns in Buffalo last season, albeit on a Bills offense ranked 30th in the league.